On Writing with A.I.: Story Outline (Patreon)

Yesterday, I showed how an A.I. can take a user-defined "braindump."  This collection of ideas, keywords and themes, bits and pieces of character and plot and setting, and things you'd like to see in the story and vague ideas of style and genre - the AI processes into a story synopsis.  From this, it can then generate core characters for a story which, with a little user-manipulation, can be guided into something a little more specific and useful.

Today, I'm using that synopsis and list of characters to generate the Outline of the story.  The specific tweaks made to Sudowrite engine seems to direct it to create outlines across a four-Act structure, using basic narrative structure. 

Here it is below - what do you think?

***

Act 1 - Introduction:

Chapter 1:

Alex Thompson is a shy and introverted history and English literature student at the University of Ottawa. He spends most of his time in the library, studying and avoiding social interaction. He is haunted by past experiences of bullying and rejection, leading to his shyness and lack of confidence. Alex's only friend on campus is Sophie Wilson, a warm and empathetic girl who tries to encourage Alex to step out of his comfort zone.

Chapter 2:

While working on an essay, Alex, overwhelmed by stress, plagiarizes a portion of it. His teaching assistant, Cassandra Blackwood, catches him and threatens to expose him and ruin his scholarship. Cassandra offers Alex an alternative: to crossdress as a woman named Alexandra Smith and follow her instructions. If he refuses, she will report him for plagiarism, which will impact his academic career.

Chapter 3:

Fearful of losing his scholarship, Alex initially refuses Cassandra's offer. However, he realizes that he has no other choice and reluctantly agrees to her terms. He starts dressing as Alexandra, becoming more adept at applying makeup and choosing clothing that flatters his newfound feminine form.

Act 2 - Conflict:

Chapter 4:

Liam O'Connor, an outgoing and carefree fellow student, befriends Alex when they meet at the library. Liam introduces Alex to the university's LGBTQ+ community and encourages him to embrace his true self. Liam's unwavering support helps Alex feel more comfortable in his new role as Alexandra.

Chapter 5:

Following Cassandra's instructions, Alex begins attending parties and social events as Alexandra. In this new world of glamour and intrigue, he discovers a newfound sense of confidence and allure as a woman, something he never experienced as a man.

Chapter 6:

At these events, Alex encounters Natalie Reyes, a mysterious socialite who seems to know more about him than she should. Natalie becomes a source of intrigue and danger, as Alex wonders if she knows his secret and what her true intentions are.

Act 3 - Rising Action:

Chapter 7:

As Alex becomes more comfortable in his disguise, he starts to question Cassandra's motivations for forcing him to crossdress. He suspects that her resentment towards men might be the driving force behind her actions. Alex decides that he must confront Cassandra to learn the truth and regain control over his life.

Chapter 8:

At the annual Halloween party hosted by tech-billionaire Edward Stone, Alex faces his most significant challenge when Cassandra demands that he seduce Edward as Alexandra. Edward is initially attracted to Alexandra, but as the night progresses, he sees through Alex's disguise and recognizes him.

Chapter 9:

While Alex is prepared to face the consequences of exposing his secret, Edward protects him from any potential backlash. Edward reveals that he too has struggled with living a double life and understands the fear and courage it takes to embrace one's true identity.

Act 4 - Climax and Conclusion:

Chapter 10:

With Edward's support, Alex confronts Cassandra and exposes her true motivations for forcing him into femininity. In a heated argument, Cassandra admits her deep-seated resentment towards men but also acknowledges that her actions have been unjust.

Chapter 11:

Having gained newfound confidence and self-assurance, Alex decides to continue exploring his identity as both Alex and Alexandra. He demonstrates mastery of his new abilities by navigating the complexities of university life while embracing his true self.

Chapter 12:

Inspired by his journey, Alex uses his experiences as both Alex and Alexandra to advocate for understanding and acceptance within the university community. With the help of Sophie, Liam, and Edward, they create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and promote a culture of compassion and empathy on campus.

***

Of course, the actual story the A.I. writes based on this might be somewhat less coherent.  But it's an intruiging starting point.  From here, the human user can get the A.I. to generate specific, beat-by-beat chapter outlines and then, write the actual prose of the story.  

But I'll save that for another post.